Clarkston, GA – The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has revoked the license of Clarkston First Baptist Church daycare following a criminal investigation into child abuse at the center.

Three people have been arrested after being accused of physically abusing a child at a daycare center. Angela Moore, the director, was charged with failing to report child abuse. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported that the two daycare workers accused of the abuse — Autumn Coney and Bernetta Glover — surrendered to officials at the DeKalb County Jail.

Police began investigating after getting a report of child abuse at the Clarkston First Baptist Church Daycare on July 13.  Video footage allegedly showed the two daycare workers slapping, punching and pulling the hair of a 3-year-old child.

“On October 3, 2022, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) issued a license revocation for Clarkston First Baptist Academy, located at 4007 Church Street in Clarkston, Georgia 30021,” a spokesperson for DECAL said. “This action is taking place in response to multiple incidents of inappropriate discipline at the facility. The provider has 10 days to appeal the revocation to an administrative law judge with the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH).  Parents impacted by this situation can connect with child care resources at www.qualityrated.org or by calling the toll-free number 1-877-ALL GA KIDS.  Parents will be assisted in locating quality child care options. DECAL provides this free service to parents.  At DECAL, our top priority is the health and safety of our state’s young learners.”

According to the revocation notice for the daycare center, the state began its investigation on July 15 and determined “rules violations occurred which seriously affected the health and safety of children and demonstrated the intentional or reckless disregard for the physical and mental health and safety of children.”

The state said the 3-year-old was physically abused over the course of a two-hour period and staff members failed to report the abuse to Children Services.

The state determined there were “correctable abuses, derelictions or deficiencies” in the operation in the operation of the center. The state determined there is also a “non-correctable abuse, dereliction or deficiency” at the daycare center.

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